What's done is done ✅⏭️

Meaning

Past actions cannot be changed, so one must accept them.

Origin

This timeless sentiment echoes through the ages, famously articulated by Shakespeare in his tragedy 'Macbeth.' When Lady Macbeth, consumed by guilt over their regicide, laments the irreversible nature of their crime, she cries, 'What's done is done.' While the phrase itself likely predates Shakespeare, his powerful use cemented it in the English language as a stark reminder that some actions, once taken, are beyond recall, leaving us to face their consequences.

🦉🤔 wisdom ⏳🕰️ time

What's done is done represented with emoji✅⏭️

This playful sequence functions as a visual koan, challenging the viewer to ponder the weight of irreversible decisions. The cheerful checkmark, juxtaposed with the arrow pointing onward, serves as a meditation on acceptance and forward momentum, reminding us that while the past is sealed, the future always beckons with new possibilities.

Examples

  • He apologized for his mistake, but what's done is done, and we have to move forward.
  • I wish I hadn't said that, but what's done is done, so now I just have to live with it.
  • The cookie crumbled into dust, but what's done is done, so we'll just call it cookie confetti.
  • The gnome painted the mushroom blue, but what's done is done, so now it's a smurf-shroom.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'What's done is done' a proverb or an idiom?

'What's done is done' functions more as a philosophical statement or a maxim than a typical proverb or idiom. While it carries a common meaning like an idiom, its deep connection to the irreversible nature of actions often gives it a more profound, proverb-like quality.

What is the opposite of 'What's done is done'?

The opposite sentiment of 'What's done is done' would be something that emphasizes the possibility of undoing mistakes or changing the past, like 'It's never too late to fix things' or 'There's always a chance to make amends.'

Can you use 'What's done is done' to excuse bad behavior?

While 'What's done is done' acknowledges the finality of past actions, it's generally not intended as an excuse for wrongdoing. It's more about accepting reality and moving forward rather than absolving oneself of responsibility or consequences.

Did Shakespeare invent the phrase 'What's done is done'?

Shakespeare popularized 'What's done is done' in his play Macbeth, but the sentiment likely existed before him. Ancient texts and philosophical discussions throughout history touch upon the irreversible nature of actions, suggesting the idea is much older than the play.

Similar to "What's done is done"

There's no use crying over spilled milk
Both acknowledge the futility of dwelling on irreversible past events, but this one uses a folksy, domestic metaphor to emphasize the wasted effort, rather than the finality of the action itself
The die is cast
Both signify that a decision or event has occurred, with no turning back, but this ancient Roman phrase implies a sense of fateful inevitability and grand consequence, a bit more dramatic than the everyday acceptance of 'What's done is done'
It is what it is
Both express a resigned acceptance of reality, but 'It is what it is' is more broadly about accepting current, often unpleasant, circumstances without judgment, whereas 'What's done is done' specifically focuses on past actions and their unchangeable nature

Opposite of "What's done is done"

There's always a silver lining
This phrase argues that even bad outcomes have a positive aspect to be found, directly contradicting the finality of 'What's done is done' by suggesting that the past can still yield good, thereby encouraging a hopeful rather than a resigned outlook
You can always make amends
This counters the acceptance of 'What's done is done' by insisting that actions, even if completed, are not necessarily final in their impact, suggesting that responsibility and repair are always possible, urging engagement with the past rather than disengagement

Related to "What's done is done"

Let bygones be bygones
This phrase shares the sentiment of moving on from past issues, but where 'What's done is done' is a statement of fact about unchangeable actions, 'Let bygones be bygones' is an explicit plea for forgiveness and reconciliation, suggesting an active choice to let go rather than passive acceptance
You can't unscramble an egg
This vivid metaphor directly illustrates the irreversible nature of certain actions, much like 'What's done is done,' grounding the abstract concept in a tangible, everyday impossibility
Tomorrow is another day
While 'What's done is done' focuses on the finality of the past, 'Tomorrow is another day' shifts the focus to the future, offering hope and the possibility of future success or a fresh start after acknowledging the unchangeable past
The past is prologue
This phrase suggests that past events, while unchangeable, are merely the introduction to what is to come, linking the inevitability of 'What's done is done' with the forward-looking nature of action and consequence